Therapeutic Nature
of Massage
of Massage
The body’s response to a perceived threat mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.
What is the flight or fight response?
Modifications made by a therapist during the massage session in response to the overall health and condition of the client.
What are adaptive measures?
Basic law exams required by some states to obtain massage credentials, that ensure knowledge of the laws relating to massage in the particular state, general massage ethics, and continuing education requirements.
What is a jurisprudence exam?
The amount and type of education that qualifies a person to practice massage, after having sat for the required examination(s).
What are education requirements?
A situation in which more than one relationship with a client is present.
What is a dual relationship?
A type of research study that compares treatment to a placebo (inactive treatment), to another treatment, or to standard treatment to establish safety and efficacy, using randomization and controls in study design.
What is a clinical trial?
An undesirable response to treatment in which current symptoms are exacerbated or new symptoms occur.
What are adverse reactions?
The methods and techniques a professional can utilize in practice.
What is scope of practice?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act standardized health-care record keeping and outlined guidelines for patient privacy.
What is HIPAA?
The power advantage that a therapist naturally holds over a client due to his or her knowledge of the body and massage skills.
What is power differential?
A somatic reflex mediated by proprioceptors called muscle spindles that are located in the muscle belly and monitor the muscle’s length.
What is stretch reflex?
An area of caution defined by the trachea, mandible, and sternocleidomastoid muscles on each side of the neck.
What is the anterior triangle?
Refers to a restricted practice or a restriction on the use of an occupational title, requiring a license.
What is licensure?
Further education in advanced or specific topics in massage or health.
What is continuing education?
A professional partnership between a massage therapist and client in which safe, structured touch is used to help the client achieve reasonable and clearly defined treatment goals.
What is a therapeutic relationship?
A somatic reflex mediated by proprioceptors called Golgi tendon organs that monitor muscle tension and tendon strain.
What is tendon reflex?
Any region of the body where delicate structures are superficial and unprotected, requiring caution from the massage therapist.
What is an area of caution?
The process of providing someone with an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement.
What is certification?
Required for licensure by some states; includes a review of the applicant's legal history and having fingerprints on file.
What is a background check?
When a client personalizes the therapeutic relationship.
What is transference?
Responses to massage that occur in the mind and emotions of clients.
What are psychological effects?
An area of caution defined by the inguinal ligament, sartorius, and adductor longus in the thigh.
What is femoral triangle?
Appointed in states that regulate massage to supervise the practice of massage through reviews of therapist applications, investigations of complaints, and overseeing licensees who practice in the state.
What is Board of Massage?
A massage licensing exam developed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards on behalf of member boards.
What is Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLex)?
Conscious or subconscious imaginary lines that mark the limits of an individual's personal space or territory.
What is a boundary?